Sheep World

Once in a while you go to a tourist trap and find out its worth it. Sheep World was such a place for us!

Historically, the sheep industry has been a huge part of New Zealand's culture, image and GDP. In the past quarter century, the dairy industry has taken over top title. However with only 4 million people and 40 million sheep living here, the ratio makes them highly visible and a lasting symbol of Kiwi life. At Sheep World, this agricultural icon was brought to life.

A sheep dog confronts the befuddled herd.

We learned that sheep dogs have different jobs based on their natural abilities and the farmers' needs. One dog's job is to gather the sheep by chasing them together into a pack while another directs them by simply barking incessently. In demonstrating their talents, you could see and feel the intensity and determination ingrained in these working dogs.



Bear helps shear a sheep.

Once gathered, shearing can begin. Sheep are sheared annually for their wool, sometimes twice. The going rate for a sheep-shearing is $1.40 per sheep. A professional shearer can shear a sheep in less than a minute. Do the math. Tough way to make a living, especially when you consider the toll it takes on your body to wrangle a 150 pound sheep around on the ground while shaving her. In the demonstration at Sheep World, the sheep appeared drugged as soon as the shearer put her on her back. She was so relaxed that he could move her like a ragdoll. It was amazing.


Bear feeds a ten day old lamb.

When newly sheared mom was put away, the babies were released. We were given bottle of milk and a dozen lambs poured into the barn. The smallest one made it to our bottle and nursed hungrily. They were so cute!

Pink Sheep?

Driving by Sheep World, you do a double take upon seeing pink sheep in the field. So what's with the color? One word: marketing. It started as a joke when the caretakers painted the sheep the colors of opposing football teams before a big game. The sheep got so much notice, they became a tourist attraction and increased Sheep World's business and became a local mainstay.